SANUR, Bali (BPN) – ARTOTEL Sanur Bali continues its commitment to supporting the arts through ARTSPACE, presenting “ARISE,” a solo exhibition by young Balinese artist Wayan Aris Sarmanta, running from August 10 to October 19, 2026.
The exhibition draws inspiration from the traditional Batuan painting style and explores the intersection between Bali’s cultural heritage and the dynamics of contemporary life. Through his works, Aris invites audiences to discover how tradition continues to live, evolve, and take on new forms.
Born and raised in Batuan Village, Gianyar, Wayan Aris Sarmanta takes Batuan painting as the foundation of his artistic practice. The distinctive characteristics of Batuan painting—intricate lines, dense details, symbolic narratives, and spiritual dimensions—serve as his starting point, which he then reinterprets through personal experiences and the realities of contemporary Bali.
More than simply meaning to rise, ARISE represents a process of growth and emergence with a renewed sense of awareness.
The exhibition reflects how tradition should not be viewed merely as an inheritance from the past, but as a living practice that continues to evolve and create new visual possibilities through a critical interpretation of contemporary realities.
Through his works, Aris presents cultural symbols, landscapes, rituals, and fragments of collective memory through a visual language that is more fluid, intuitive, and contemporary.
Lines become the rhythm of life, colors become records of time, symbols become spaces for contemplation, while areas of emptiness create room for encounters between memory, experience, and imagination.
Rather than positioning tradition as something fixed, ARISE presents it as an evolving visual language that can be continuously reinterpreted by each generation.
Each artwork in ARISE becomes a space for negotiation between roots and change, identity and transformation.
Through this exhibition, Wayan Aris Sarmanta highlights that the sustainability of Balinese painting lies in the courage to continuously reinterpret tradition—creating a visual language that remains rooted in local values while engaging meaningfully with the contemporary art landscape.
Agus Ade Surya Wirawan, General Manager of ARTOTEL Sanur – Bali, said: “At ARTOTEL Sanur Bali, we believe that art is an essential part of the experience of a space. Through ARTSpace, we are committed to providing a platform for artists to create, engage in dialogue, and reach a wider audience. ARISE reflects this commitment while inviting visitors to discover how the tradition of Balinese painting continues to evolve and find new relevance within contemporary life.”
